Google has launched its own video chat service for Android smartphones to compete with the Facetime application on the iPhone. And unlike the Apple software, the video chat update to Google Talk works over 3G as well as WiFi networks. It uses the front-mounted cameras on high-end Android handsets.
Read more here
Saturday, April 30
Smartphone User Study
This video presents key findings from "The Mobile Movement: Understanding Smartphone Consumers," a study from Google and conducted by Ipsos OTX, an independent market research firm.
Thursday, April 28
Just Add Audio
According to NPR’s internal usage data covering January 1 through mid-April, users who request audio — maybe a station stream, a national newscast, or NPR Music content — view twice as many pages as those who only read the apps’ content. Kinsey Wilson, NPR’s general manager of digital media (says) “We made a conscious decision to position our (written) news coverage prominently in our mobile applications because we wanted people to think of us as a comprehensive and up to the minute source of news, not simply a source of radio listening.”
Read more here.
Read more here.
Measuring and Improving Accuracy in Journalism
Professional journalism is supposed to be “factual,” “accurate,” or just plain true. Is it? The last big study of mainstream reporting accuracy found errors (defined below) in 59% of 4,800 stories across 14 metro newspapers. This level of inaccuracy — where about one in every two articles contains an error — has persisted for as long as news accuracy has been studied, over seven decades now.
Read more here (a post by Jonathan Stray ( interactive technology editor for the Associated Press)
Read more here (a post by Jonathan Stray ( interactive technology editor for the Associated Press)
Facebook Investors Look for Exits
A group of Facebook shareholders is seeking to offload $1 billion worth of shares on the secondary market, a sale that would value the company at more than $70 billion, according to five sources with direct knowledge of the situation. It would represent one of the largest transactions of Facebook shares to date and points to a growing wariness among early-stage investors and employees who fear Facebook's growth cannot keep pace with its market valuation.
Facebook, the world's No. 1 Internet social network, earned $355 million in net income in the first nine months of 2010 on revenue of $1.2 billion.
Read more here
Facebook, the world's No. 1 Internet social network, earned $355 million in net income in the first nine months of 2010 on revenue of $1.2 billion.
Read more here
Wednesday, April 27
Big Newspaper Chains Still Hurting
Newspapers are suffering continuing declines in the first quarter, scuttling any hopes that the medium might enjoy a comeback. While industry-wide figures aren't yet available, first quarter results from major publishers, including the New York Times Co., Gannett, and McClatchy, give little reason for optimism.
Read more at Media Daily News
Read more at Media Daily News
Friday, April 22
Wednesday, April 20
Google Debuts New Online Magazine
Google has quietly launched its own full-length online magazine, a quarterly publication whose aim is to create a “breathing space in a busy world.” The first edition of Think Quarterly, based out of the U.K., is a 68-page dive into the world of data and its impact on business.
Google says that Think Quarterly is designed as useful information for its business customers... "anyone who’s interested can visit the companion website at www.thinkquarterly.co.uk.”
Read more at Mashable
Google says that Think Quarterly is designed as useful information for its business customers... "anyone who’s interested can visit the companion website at www.thinkquarterly.co.uk.”
Read more at Mashable
Monday, April 18
Facebook trying to 'friend' journalists
Facebook is hiring someone to build relationships with reporters and news organizations. The new hire also will help organize journalism-focused events, the first of which will take place this month at Facebook's headquarters in Palo Alto, California. He will be responsible for advocating for the use of Facebook as a reporting and promotional tool. He will also maintain the recently launched Journalists on Facebook page.
Read more at CNN
Read more at CNN
Tuesday, April 12
RIP Flip Video Camera
The popular Flip video camera is no more, with Cisco announcing Tuesday it “will exit aspects of its consumer businesses,” which includes shutting down the Flip.
It looks like the Flip was simply an intermediary product. Much like the netbook, which has been largely usurped by lower-cost full laptops and tablets like the iPad, the Flip was simply a product that disrupted markets before moving aside for a true successor.
Read more here
It looks like the Flip was simply an intermediary product. Much like the netbook, which has been largely usurped by lower-cost full laptops and tablets like the iPad, the Flip was simply a product that disrupted markets before moving aside for a true successor.
Read more here
Most Americans Opposed to Banning Any Books
A new Harris Poll shows that a majority of Americans think no books should be banned completely (56%) while fewer than one in five say there are books which should be banned (18%); a quarter are not at all sure (26%).
Read more here
Read more here
Monday, April 11
Ad Spending to Rise
U.S. advertising spending is expected to increase 2.5% to $155.2 billion in 2011 as marketers in the financial, retail and automotive sectors open up their wallets following the recession. But it will take several years before spending reaches pre-recession levels, according to new forecasts from Publicis Groupe SA's ZenithOptimedia.
Global ad spending, meanwhile, is now forecast to increase 4.2% to $470.8 billion.
ZenithOptimedia said it expects the largest ad spending increases in the U.S. to flow to the Internet, which is expected to register a 13% rise; cable television, with an expected increase of 10%; and cinema, which is expected to register a 6% increase. Ad spending is projected to drop 8.5% in newspapers, 1% in consumer magazines and 4% for business publications, it said.
Read more at the Wall Street Journal
Global ad spending, meanwhile, is now forecast to increase 4.2% to $470.8 billion.
ZenithOptimedia said it expects the largest ad spending increases in the U.S. to flow to the Internet, which is expected to register a 13% rise; cable television, with an expected increase of 10%; and cinema, which is expected to register a 6% increase. Ad spending is projected to drop 8.5% in newspapers, 1% in consumer magazines and 4% for business publications, it said.
Read more at the Wall Street Journal
Sunday, April 10
iPhone for Radio Reports
As cell phones became smaller, and laptops more prevalent, radio reporters could finally produce studio-quality reports in the field, and email them to the newsroom. But that involved schlepping, booting, connecting, dubbing, and a lot of waiting. Now, with the Apple iPhone 4 and several apps, I can produce intricate audio and video reports, broadcast live, take and edit photos, write web content and distribute it through social media from a single device.
With the VC Audio Pro app from VeriCorder, I can quickly pull cuts, edit and assemble audio wraps, and adjust volumes on a three-track screen similar to the popular Adobe Audition used in many newsrooms. These days I also carry an iPad to take notes, while my iPhone is on a podium during a news conference. Before that, I liked the Apple Wireless Keyboard, which paired easily with the phone.
So is it worth it? A year in, iPhone-only reporting isn't perfect. While audio editing works great, with the phone's built-in microphone I'd estimate the sound quality of my field reports is 92% as good as when I use bulky broadcast equipment. Getting better audio for my video is a real challenge.
Read more at PBS
With the VC Audio Pro app from VeriCorder, I can quickly pull cuts, edit and assemble audio wraps, and adjust volumes on a three-track screen similar to the popular Adobe Audition used in many newsrooms. These days I also carry an iPad to take notes, while my iPhone is on a podium during a news conference. Before that, I liked the Apple Wireless Keyboard, which paired easily with the phone.
So is it worth it? A year in, iPhone-only reporting isn't perfect. While audio editing works great, with the phone's built-in microphone I'd estimate the sound quality of my field reports is 92% as good as when I use bulky broadcast equipment. Getting better audio for my video is a real challenge.
Read more at PBS
Saturday, April 9
Digital Revolution in Africa
The arrival of three submarine cables to Africa in the past year has quadrupled data speeds and cut prices by 90%. Since mobile-phone coverage is far better than fixed-line availability, the result has been that the cellphone is swiftly becoming Africa’s computer of choice. By some counts there are already 84m mobiles in Africa with at least rudimentary internet connectivity. A $90 smartphone made by China’s Huawei and running Google’s Android operating system sold out in several African countries in less than a month.
For those who want to sell entertainment, however, the future is written on tablets. Here, Samsung has stolen an early lead with its Tab. Though it now costs around $500 in Africa, Erik Hersman, a tech expert in Nairobi, expects its price to fall by half in the coming year. Apple so far shows few signs of bringing the iPad within reach of most Africans. Wholesale buyers in Africa think the market will take off once tablets drop below $200.
Read more at The Economist
For those who want to sell entertainment, however, the future is written on tablets. Here, Samsung has stolen an early lead with its Tab. Though it now costs around $500 in Africa, Erik Hersman, a tech expert in Nairobi, expects its price to fall by half in the coming year. Apple so far shows few signs of bringing the iPad within reach of most Africans. Wholesale buyers in Africa think the market will take off once tablets drop below $200.
Read more at The Economist
A World no Longer Dominated by the PC
Among the trends (PC makers) are grappling with is the growing popularity of tablet computers, smartphones and other devices that let consumers work and surf the web on the move. An even more important trend sweeping the industry is the growth of cloud computing. This lets companies store and process vast amounts of data in huge warehouses of servers run by third parties. The data can then be accessed over the internet whenever and wherever needed. The emergence of the cloud is also partly responsible for a third trend, “verticalisation”. This is the increasing tendency of makers of IT hardware, operating systems and applications to move into each other’s area of business, This has created a free-for-all, with software firms swallowing up hardware firms and vice versa.
The PC is not dead, but its importance henceforth is going to be significantly diminished.
Read more at the Economist
The PC is not dead, but its importance henceforth is going to be significantly diminished.
Read more at the Economist
Wednesday, April 6
Terrestrial Radio
Arbitron (ARB) and Edison Research released their The Infinite Dial: 2011 study. The end report shows that in face of competition from satellite radio, social media and other new media, terrestrial radio lives on.
First, the good news. While the percentage of people 12 years of age and older who listen to local AM/FM radio dropped from 96 percent in 2001, to 93 percent in 2011, the medium still holds sway with large numbers of the people advertisers covet. For instance, 77 percent of the 12+ population that is employed either full-time or part-time (24 percent of the general 12 + population) listens to radio stations on a regular radio while at work. Another 21 percent listen to streams of local AM/FM stations on a computer in the workplace. While the median age of "heavy" radio users is 41, that's 7 years younger than the median age of "heavy" television users. Forty percent of terrestrial radio's listenership falls in the 25-54 year old sweet spot for advertisers.
On the downside, 53 percent of 12- to 34-year olds look to the Internet to find out about new music. Only 39 percent of people in that demographic go to radio first. Forty-two percent of individuals who are 35 years of age and older turn to radio first, while just 19 percent go to the Internet. It's no surprise that radio skews older. And, for most forms of talk programming, it likely tends even higher.
One of the "implications" the study authors list from the report, which I agree with but am not married to, is that Radio is relevant and resilient.
Read more here
First, the good news. While the percentage of people 12 years of age and older who listen to local AM/FM radio dropped from 96 percent in 2001, to 93 percent in 2011, the medium still holds sway with large numbers of the people advertisers covet. For instance, 77 percent of the 12+ population that is employed either full-time or part-time (24 percent of the general 12 + population) listens to radio stations on a regular radio while at work. Another 21 percent listen to streams of local AM/FM stations on a computer in the workplace. While the median age of "heavy" radio users is 41, that's 7 years younger than the median age of "heavy" television users. Forty percent of terrestrial radio's listenership falls in the 25-54 year old sweet spot for advertisers.
On the downside, 53 percent of 12- to 34-year olds look to the Internet to find out about new music. Only 39 percent of people in that demographic go to radio first. Forty-two percent of individuals who are 35 years of age and older turn to radio first, while just 19 percent go to the Internet. It's no surprise that radio skews older. And, for most forms of talk programming, it likely tends even higher.
One of the "implications" the study authors list from the report, which I agree with but am not married to, is that Radio is relevant and resilient.
Read more here
Tuesday, April 5
Facebook steps up efforts to Work with Journalists
On its media page, Facebook publishes success stories of how media organizations are using its platform... And now, Facebook is rolling out a similar page, but targeted to journalists.
Today we’re launching a new “Journalists on Facebook” Page to serve as an ongoing resource for the growing number of reporters using Facebook to find sources, interact with readers, and advance stories. The Page will provide journalists with best practices for integrating the latest Facebook products with their work and connecting with the Facebook audience of more than 500 million people.
Osofsky says they’re also creating a “Facebook Journalism Meetup” program, hosting “hands-on workshops on how to use Facebook as a reporting tool.”
Today we’re launching a new “Journalists on Facebook” Page to serve as an ongoing resource for the growing number of reporters using Facebook to find sources, interact with readers, and advance stories. The Page will provide journalists with best practices for integrating the latest Facebook products with their work and connecting with the Facebook audience of more than 500 million people.
Osofsky says they’re also creating a “Facebook Journalism Meetup” program, hosting “hands-on workshops on how to use Facebook as a reporting tool.”
Unkind Unwind
The once lucrative home-entertainment market is ailing. A steep decline in DVD sales has more than cancelled out growth in high-definition Blu-ray discs and electronic downloads. In developed countries, particularly America (by far the biggest home-entertainment market), people have switched from buying to borrowing. Since 2007 the number of films rented in America has grown by 10% even as spending on home entertainment has steadily declined.
All the big studios apart from Disney (once again going its own way) will start offering electronic copies of films that conform to a single format later this year. Buy a film, either as a download or as a Blu-ray disc that comes with digital rights, and a token will be stored in your account. In theory, you should then be able to play the film on television through your existing set-top box, download it to your laptop and your smartphone, and perhaps burn an extra copy to a DVD. Buying a film should begin to seem more appealing than renting it or downloading it illegally.
Read more at The Economist
All the big studios apart from Disney (once again going its own way) will start offering electronic copies of films that conform to a single format later this year. Buy a film, either as a download or as a Blu-ray disc that comes with digital rights, and a token will be stored in your account. In theory, you should then be able to play the film on television through your existing set-top box, download it to your laptop and your smartphone, and perhaps burn an extra copy to a DVD. Buying a film should begin to seem more appealing than renting it or downloading it illegally.
Read more at The Economist
Video Nasty
People are rapidly discovering new ways of watching films at home that pose a grave threat to the most profitable part of the film business. In America, by far the biggest home-entertainment market, spending on videotapes and discs has dropped by 29% since 2004... The big reason is the rise of cheap, convenient rental outfits like Redbox, which runs kiosks, and Netflix, which streams some films and sends others through the post.
Like music, newspapers and books before it, the film business has been disrupted by innovative, fast-moving distributors whose products have caught on with the public. Tinseltown’s attempts so far to see off the threat have fallen flat, partly because the studios have failed to co-ordinate their efforts.
Led by Sony, a consortium of studios, technology firms and retailers are working on a new way of distributing digital copies of films. The idea is that consumers will be able to buy the rights to films stored “in the cloud” and stream them to any device.
Read more at The Economist
Like music, newspapers and books before it, the film business has been disrupted by innovative, fast-moving distributors whose products have caught on with the public. Tinseltown’s attempts so far to see off the threat have fallen flat, partly because the studios have failed to co-ordinate their efforts.
Led by Sony, a consortium of studios, technology firms and retailers are working on a new way of distributing digital copies of films. The idea is that consumers will be able to buy the rights to films stored “in the cloud” and stream them to any device.
Read more at The Economist
Wednesday, March 16
Building Trust and Credibility with an Online Audience
Suggestions from Doreen Marchionni (Pacific Lutheran University teacher and editor at The Seattle Times).
Reporters need to be on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. Taking simple steps such as crowdsourcing story ideas or encouraging feedback increases a reporter’s credibility with a digital audience, Marchionni found in her research.
And, having a Twitter account that mixes appropriate personal messages along with work-related tweets can let the audience see the “person behind the news,” which also builds trust.
Provide online bio pages with photos and short biographical sketches.
Produce reporter-focused short videos. Video communicates to an audience that a reporter is a real person, not a “data spewing automaton." They need to put themselves out there in videos.
Look to columnists and the Sports Department for cues. Columnists, often take a conversational tone, use fact-based analysis and portray a strong public persona. She is not suggesting opinion-based reporting, but rather bringing more voice and perspective to typical news writing.
When a newsroom does engage with readers, and invites early participation in the newsgathering process, Marchionni says it is important to publicly note that interaction. “You must tell audiences that you did it.”
Read more at Poynter
Reporters need to be on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. Taking simple steps such as crowdsourcing story ideas or encouraging feedback increases a reporter’s credibility with a digital audience, Marchionni found in her research.
And, having a Twitter account that mixes appropriate personal messages along with work-related tweets can let the audience see the “person behind the news,” which also builds trust.
Provide online bio pages with photos and short biographical sketches.
Produce reporter-focused short videos. Video communicates to an audience that a reporter is a real person, not a “data spewing automaton." They need to put themselves out there in videos.
Look to columnists and the Sports Department for cues. Columnists, often take a conversational tone, use fact-based analysis and portray a strong public persona. She is not suggesting opinion-based reporting, but rather bringing more voice and perspective to typical news writing.
When a newsroom does engage with readers, and invites early participation in the newsgathering process, Marchionni says it is important to publicly note that interaction. “You must tell audiences that you did it.”
Read more at Poynter
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